Being Geek: The Software Developer's Career Handbook--New from O'Reilly

Sebastopol, CA—As a software engineer, you recognize at some point that there's much more to your career than dealing with code. Is it time to become a manager? Tell your boss he's a jerk? Join that startup? Author
Michael Lopp (@rands) recalls his own make-or-break moments with Silicon Valley giants such as Apple, Netscape, and Symantec in Being Geek (O'Reilly Meida, $24.99 USD)—an insightful and entertaining book that will help you make better career decisions.

"I wrote this book because I want geeks and nerds alike to own their careers. It's too easy in an industry full of urgent things to do to forget that you're going to have many jobs and you get to choose where those jobs will take you," explains Lopp, a Silicon Valley-based engineering manager.

With more than 40 standalone stories, Lopp walks through a complete job life cycle, starting with the job interview and ending with the realization that it might be time to find another gig. Many books teach you how to interview for a job or how to manage a project successfully, but only this book helps you handle the baffling circumstances you may encounter throughout your career.

Determine the nature of the miracle your CEO wants with "The Impossible"

Give effective presentations with "How Not to Throw Up"

Handle liars and people with devious agendas with "Managing Werewolves"

Realize when you should be looking for a new gig with "The Itch"

Adds Lopp: "I hope the readers of Being Geek will feel they own their career rather than feeling their company owns them."

For a review copy or more information please email peyton@oreilly.com. Please include your delivery address and contact information.

Michael Lopp is a Silicon Valley-based engineering manager. When he's not worrying about staying relevant, he writes about pens, bridges, people, and werewolves at the popular weblog, Rands in Repose. Michael wrote a book called Managing Humans which explains that while you might be rewarded for what you produce, you will only be successful because of your people.

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